Additional Coverage:
- ‘Mike & Molly’ Star Billy Gardell’s 150-Lb Weight Loss: See Him Now After Saying Surgery ‘Saved His Life’ (parade.com)
Billy Gardell, best known for his role on the CBS sitcom Mike & Molly, has opened up about a life-changing decision that helped him shed 150 pounds and dramatically improve his health. The 57-year-old actor, who starred alongside Melissa McCarthy as Chicago police officer Mike Biggs, revealed that undergoing bariatric surgery in 2021 was a pivotal moment that likely saved his life.
In a candid conversation on the “Breaking Bread” podcast, Gardell discussed the serious health challenges he faced before choosing surgery. Despite his larger size, he credited his past athletic activity and good genetics for allowing him to carry the weight for a time.
However, he ultimately couldn’t outrun the consequences-he was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes, high cholesterol, and other heart-related issues. His doctor warned him that “after 50 the warranties start running out,” highlighting the urgency of his situation.
At his heaviest, Gardell weighed 379 pounds. The turning point came when a knee injury left him unable to exercise, prompting him to take drastic action.
“I got to the point where I hurt my knee and I couldn’t even walk for exercise, and I was like, I have to do something drastic,” he said. Since the surgery, Gardell reports being off all medications, with his diabetes completely gone.
Now healthier and feeling great, Gardell enjoys the everyday freedom of shopping for clothes off the rack and living an active lifestyle. His transformation serves as a powerful reminder of the impact that timely medical intervention and lifestyle changes can have on one’s quality of life.